Terry determined to have big say

09 June 2010 06:41

John Terry has emerged from personal turmoil no longer possessing the England captaincy but vowing not to change when he pulls on the shirt.

Terry was pitched into the most turbulent period of his life when his alleged affair with Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel came into the public domain.

The Chelsea captain was swiftly hauled before Fabio Capello and told he was no longer England captain, and then had his discomfort increased by Bridge's refusal to shake his hand prior to a match against Manchester City at the end of February.

It was a period of great uncertainty in Terry's life, a time that also included Chelsea's Champions League exit to Inter Milan.

But from desperation, the 29-year-old has, if anything, emerged an even stronger figure.

And, during his dressing down by Capello, he assured the Italian he would remain a pillar of strength on the field, even more important now his replacement as captain, Rio Ferdinand, has been ruled out of the World Cup through injury.

"When I met the manager I stressed to him that I accepted his decision but he would continue to get exactly the same character," said Terry.

"I am not going to allow my head to go down and beat myself up about it. I will just continue to be the same person.

"Nothing will ever change, either at Chelsea or with England.

"I will still give my opinion and make my presence felt, both in the dressing room or on the field.

"Like every other player, I am here to win the World Cup and will do everything possible, even if it is an opinion away from football, I will say what needs to be said."

With Ferdinand no longer around, Terry clearly needs to take his 'A' game into Saturday's Group C opener against the United States.

He is confident enough about doing it too, given his form steadily improved as Chelsea's season reached a League and Cup-winning conclusion.

"My form got questioned on earlier in the season but towards the end, Chelsea had a lot of big games and I stepped up and performed at my best level," Terry said.

"When Chelsea did not win games I probably accept that I did not play well. But when Chelsea won - and we won a lot more than we lost - I played well."